Circus on board as Viva La Gong prepares to flip into action

The Circus Monoxide-owned tent will play host to a variety of performances this weekend as part of a full day of family entertainment, starting with a colourful street parade up Crown Street Mall, Globe Lane and ending in MacCabe Park.

The big top tent was almost sold by the Wollongong-based circus troupe as it became impractical and expensive to tour with, but artistic director Tamara Campbell says it's become a point of difference.

"We lost all the skills to erect the tent so we're rebuilding that, and we're joining with the Spaghetti Circus on the [NSW] North Coast to make sure the tent gets used.

"It gets hired to other events and there are so few contemporary circus groups that own tents."

The tent will stay erect after Viva La Gong as Monoxide performs their own specialty shows next week.

Tamara has helped create shows that bring together Circus Monoxide members past and present, and blends all the characters and skills into one.

And it's shows like these that help contribute financially to the organisation which has struggled for revenue outside their popular circus school workshops.

"It's a struggle to keep it [Circus Monoxide] going but we're fighting to keep going and do what we can, when we can.

"The challenge for me is the artistic side because that's where it's hard to make money."